Freshman [10]
CubPulse: 100%
Posts: 3
Joined: 8/28/18
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Re: CubsHQ: Joe Maddon reportedly on the hot seat
Aug 28, 2018, 5:00 PM
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I believe it would be a mistake to get rid of Maddon or even talk of getting rid of Maddon. He has been a very critical component in the success of this team from winning the World Series to making it into consecutive playoffs. Theo, Jed, and Joe together with the support of the Ricketts family spending money on players have made this possible. Add to that the phenomenal job done with advance scouting, international scouting, and player development in building a solid "team" from the ground to the top.
There is depth, as we have seen in the likes of Bote coming up, and the various relievers that have been called up. So, the organization as a whole is collectively working together and are all on the same page, which is exactly what was needed and I attribute that to Theo, Jed, Jeff Greenberg, Jason McLeod, and again the owners. Then, at the major league level, you have to give credit to Joe and his coaching staff for creating a culture of respect, of being a TRUE team, and for being understanding that players go through slumps and peaks and the last thing you do is "punish" them or give up on them in those moments. Instead, you encourage them, you keep getting them up there, help them, get them their confidence and they snap out of it. Those players know their Manager has their back and it is so refreshing to see.
I love when they show a shot of the dugout and you will see the players chatting with Joe and be truly engaged and laughing or have an arm around him. Or, they are chatting with another coach and doing the same. I love that when you look at this team, you see a TRUE team...they win as a team, they lose as a team, they celebrate as a team, they have each other's back as a team should. That has all happened because of the culture that Maddon and Theo has built and while Joe may make some unorthodox moves at times, I actually appreciate as a fan because he makes it fun and it shows that he actually is using a strategy and is thinking. It's not always going to work but, at least he is not just going through the motions and just "managing by textbook!"
My thinking is that Maddon, Theo and company have created such a GREAT team and have produced SO many wins and such a great championship team that we are starting to get a bit spoiled and expect it. We went from being happy if we even won a series to now expecting to be in the Post-Season before the season even starts. I told my wife, who is not from Chicago that what is so remarkable about being a Cubs fan and sets us apart from all others is that Wrigley Field would be packed on an opening day in April when it was freezing. It would be packed on a VERY hot August day when we would be at that point in last place and pretty much clearly out of the race for a pennant. It would also be packed at the last home game, likely again freezing and again most likely in last place or close to last place...but, it wouldn't matter. We were loyal, we were diehard, and we loved our Cubs and loved our stadium, The Friendly Confines. We would be in last place, losing a game to San Diego by 6 runs and celebrate an Andrew Dawson home run going on Waveland Ave. like it was a GRAND SLAM! Now, sure we would have loved to have been in 1st place and when we were, it was euphoria! When we won a series, it was like we had won the playoffs. When we WERE in the Post-Season, the city pretty much came to a stop! Remember, we were affectionately the "loveable losers" and everyone admired that we were NEVER "fair-weather fans" and that loyalty meant EVERYTHING to us.
So, while I am NOT complaining about this team that has come from the work that Theo, the Ricketts and Joe have built in any way. I am also not complaining about baseball in October and how much I love seeing us in the Post-Season and how great it is. I do though worry that our fans and perhaps "sports talk hosts" and writers that cover the Cubs may be walking a fine line of being like some fans of teams that we ALL have noted are not always "good models." We can't get greedy and be so quick to turn on players, managers, etc. Look at how LONG we waited to get to this point and how lucky we have been to have what we have! What is happening this season with all of the MAJOR injuries is astounding. With the loss of Darvish, Bryant being gone for as long as he has, Chatwood not delivering the way he was supposed to, and the other injuries we have had. In theory, we shouldn't necessarily be in the position we are...but, we are in 1st place and have been since July and have the best record in the National League. I would say that is pretty #### good and I give a lot of credit to Theo, Joe and his coaching staff and of course the team. So, let's not be so fast to turn on Joe and let's not be so fast to be expecting a Post-Season team every year. It would be nice...but, this is Major League Baseball and it's supposed to be competitive and everyone team is supposed to have the "best of the best" and it goes in streaks. Right now, it seems that we are on the receiving end of that positive streak and it feels nice. Let's enjoy it!
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